PSALM 102:25-27 – “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.”
THEME OF THE DAY: OUR UNCHANGING GOD. Three of the most comforting truths about our God are His steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136), He is sovereignly in control of all things, including what occurs in our lives (Psalm 93), and our God is immutable, or unchanging (Hebrews 13:8).
Today’s scripture also affirms the constancy of our God in His Person, purposes, and dealings with His people. When it comes to us, His people, here are three reasons why our God’s unchanging nature is such a comfort.
First, He is unchanging in His work He began in us – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). What is this good work God started in us? Let’s look to the Apostle Paul for that answer – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:28-29). This work of God is conforming us into the image of the Lord Jesus, and the unchanging nature of God ensures it will be accomplished.
Another reason for the comforting truth of our God’s unchanging nature is He will never alter in His love toward us. Yes, even in our failings. Yes, even in our sinning. The prophet Jeremiah tells us of the nature of God’s love to us – “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). Don’t listen to the accusing lies of the devil seeking to sow doubt of God’s unchanging love.
Finally, the great comfort from God’s unchanging nature is that He never deals with us out of impulse, reactive anger, or any other unbecoming emotion. He is not like us. We change. We are moody. He is not moody. God never “gets up on the wrong side of the bed” and deals with us out of uncontrolled and selfish emotions. To borrow a naval phrase “steady as she goes” rightly defines God’s constant and unchanging dealings with us. Let’s not make Him in our image. That is not a God we want or need.
Our God is unchanging. Such truth is so comforting in a changing world. It not only comforts us but provides stability to live the Christian life fruitfully and joyfully.
PRAYER: Father, I praise You that You never change, and deal with me out of Your unchanging nature.
REFLECTION: The unchanging nature of God is a comfort to believers and a terror to unbelievers.